Which botanical garden is considered the best in the world?

Kew Gardens in London, United Kingdom, is widely regarded as the best botanical garden due to its extensive collection of living plants, historic glasshouses, and leading research in plant science.

What is the oldest botanical garden still in operation?

The Orto Botanico di Padova in Padua, Italy, founded in 1545, is the world's oldest academic botanical garden that remains in its original location.

Which botanical garden has the largest collection of plants?

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, holds the largest collection of living plants in the world, with over 50,000 species across its gardens and herbarium.

Are the top botanical gardens free to visit?

Most major botanical gardens, such as the Singapore Botanic Gardens, offer free entry to the outdoor grounds, but some charge admission fees for specialized glasshouses or conservatories.

Top 10 Best Botanical Gardens in the World

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Top 10 Best Botanical Gardens in the World

The world's greatest botanical gardens turn living plants into breathtaking experiences — from Kew's record-breaking collections in the UK to Singapore's futuristic Supertrees. We've ranked the top 10 botanical gardens on Earth for 2026. Explore the list, then cast your vote for your favourite!

2026170 viewsMar 12, 2026 Updated Sep 7, 2026

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#1
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, United Kingdom
Home to the world's largest collection of living plants and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kew's 132 hectares in southwest London house over 50,000 species and the iconic Victorian Palm House.
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#2
Singapore Botanic Gardens, Singapore
This 164-year-old tropical garden is a UNESCO site housing the National Orchid Garden with over 1,000 species and 2,000 hybrids, set within one of Asia's most densely urbanised islands.
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#3
Jardín Botánico de Bogotá, Colombia
Colombia's principal botanical garden champions Andean and páramo plant conservation at 2,600 metres elevation, housing over 5,000 species from one of the world's most biodiverse countries.
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#4
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, South Africa
Nestled against Table Mountain's eastern slopes, Kirstenbosch showcases the extraordinary Cape Floral Kingdom with its fynbos biome, home to more plant species per square kilometre than almost anywhere on Earth.
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#5
New York Botanical Garden, United States
The Bronx's 100-hectare living museum contains 250 acres of curated gardens including the landmark Enid A. Haupt Conservatory and 50 acres of old-growth forest in the heart of New York City.
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#6
Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Founded in 1808, Rio's botanical garden preserves a fragment of Atlantic Forest surrounded by urban sprawl, with over 6,500 species including 900 palm varieties lining its famous imperial palm avenue.
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#7
Gardens by the Bay, Singapore
These futuristic Supertree structures and climate-controlled conservatories on reclaimed land have redefined what a botanical garden can be, blending cutting-edge sustainability with horticultural spectacle.
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#8
Botanischer Garten Berlin, Germany
One of the world's most important botanical research institutions spans 43 hectares and houses over 20,000 plant species, including one of Europe's largest tropical greenhouses at 25 metres tall.
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#9
Montreal Botanical Garden, Canada
Among the world's largest botanical gardens, Montreal's 75-hectare site features 10 exhibition greenhouses and 30 thematic gardens, including a renowned Chinese and Japanese garden.
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#10
Kunming Botanical Garden, China
Yunnan province's premier garden preserves flora from one of the planet's most botanically diverse regions, with over 7,000 species from subtropical to alpine habitats in China's "Spring City."
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Frequently Asked Questions About the World's Best Botanical Gardens

Which botanical gardens on this list are UNESCO World Heritage Sites? Three gardens hold UNESCO World Heritage status: [Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew](https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1084) (inscribed 2003), [Singapore Botanic Gardens](https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1483) (inscribed 2015), and Kirstenbosch, which forms part of the [Cape Floristic Region Protected Areas](https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1007) (inscribed 2004).

What is the largest botanical garden in the world by plant collection? [Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew](https://www.kew.org) holds the record with over 50,000 living plant species — more than any other institution on Earth.

Are these botanical gardens free to visit? Policies vary. Singapore Botanic Gardens offers free general admission. Kew Gardens, New York Botanical Garden, and Montreal Botanical Garden charge entry fees. Check each garden's official website for current ticket prices before you visit.